Airport Sock

ABSTRACT

A transparent foot covering that provides a hygienic barrier between the wearer and a supporting surface. The covering is a one-piece structure with an open end and a closed end, suitable for quick application and removal. An elastic band around the open end ensures the covering stays fixed to the wearer&#39;s foot while in use. The covering provides protection from non-hygienic surfaces and as well as visual transparency required for airport security checks. Mold, germs and floor fungi are prevented from contacting the wearer, while the transparency provides airport personnel the ability to visually inspect the wearer&#39;s feet while passing through security checkpoints.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/299,369 filed on Jan. 28, 2010, entitled “Airport Sock”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hygienic and transparent foot covers for the purposes of improving public health while adhering to airport security regulations.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Recent events in air travel have resulted in increased screening and inspection of air travelers and their belongings. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) instituted mandatory shoe screening on Aug. 10, 2006, when the threat level for the aviation sector was raised to orange, or “high.” All air travelers passing through airport security gates are required to remove their footwear for X-ray or equivalent inspection for any anomalies, concealed items or traces of explosives (Transportation Security Administration Press Release, Remarks By Assistant Secretary For TSA Kip Hawley On X-ray Shoe Screening, http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/kip_hawley_x-ray_remarks.shtm, Aug. 15, 2006).

The standard method for shoe screening is for travelers to remove their shoes, regardless of underlying socks or bare feet, and place the shoes on an x-ray conveyor belt for inspection by TSA officials. This places the traveler in an awkward position. Most travelers are rushed because of time constraints and the need to remove many personal items from their person prior to passing through a security gate, while others are ignorant of current regulations and do not wear proper footwear to allow even stocking feet after shoe removal. Importance is placed on passing through the screening line as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, little emphasis is given to the public health hazards of combining so many unshod travelers in one area.

The sanitary conditions of an airport security checkpoint are typical of a well-traveled, yet maintained area. However, the requirement for travelers to remove their footwear and expose their feet to the bare surface floor provides an ample Petri dish for fungus, mold and bacteria to collect and develop (San Diego News Story—KGTV San Diego, Airport Authority Releases Floor Bacteria Test Results, http://www.10news.com/news/9684959/detail.html, Aug. 15, 2005). Travelers expose themselves to these conditions each time they contact the floor without proper foot coverings, which can results of a long list of illnesses. A small portal or cut in a traveler's foot could allow an external agent to imbed and cause serious health conditions. Travelers with reduced immune systems, those who are post-operative or diabetic are especially at risk. A solution to this problem is required.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,317 to Broucek, U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,124 to Michalak, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,839 to Brandon suggest shoe and foot coverings that are used for protection and waterproofing needs. U.S. Pat. No. 7,012,525 to Ghioto suggests a sock station at an airport x-ray screening checkpoint. However, these prior art devices have a drawback in that they do not provide a covering that provides the transparency that would allow easy passage through a TSA checkpoint once the wearer's shoes are removed and replaced with these coverings. Hidden items may still be concealed in opaque foot coverings, which would necessitate further traveler screening before passageway to the plane would be allowed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of foot coverings now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new foot covering wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when passing through airport security checkpoints where shoe removal is required.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a transparent foot covering for air travelers to protect their feet while passing through airport security checkpoints.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hygienic foot covering that provides the wearer a barrier from mold, fungus and bacteria that are present on airport bare floor surfaces.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a foot covering that is easily deployed and removable from a wearer's foot.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a transparent foot covering applied to a wearer's foot.

FIG. 2 shows a transparent foot covering by itself.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a transparent foot covering that is applied to a wearer's foot. The covering includes an open end and a closed end, wherein the wearer's foot is placed through the open end and surrounded by the closed end. An elastic band spans the rim of the open end, compressing the opening and ensuring a snug fit for the wearer. The elastic band is internal to a receiving tube that is attached to the edge of the open end. The covering is comprised of a transparent material that allows the wearer's foot to be completely visible after application of the covering.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a view of the transparent foot covering without the wearer's foot. The covering is shaped similar to a slipper, and allows complete transparency for airport screening and security purposes.

In use an individual carries a set of these foot coverings while air traveling. Several may be stored together in a common pouch, carried in the wearer's pockets or handbag. Upon approaching an airport security X-ray checkpoint, the wearer removes his or her footwear, one article at a time, and applies the foot covering over each bare or stocking foot. The coverings are slid over the feet, one at a time, and prevented from contacting the floor surface unshod or unprotected. The wearer's footwear articles are placed on the X-ray conveyor belt, along with his or her belongings, prior to scanning. Once the wearer has passed through the scanner and is allowed to continue, the coverings are replaced with the wearer's original footwear at a point beyond the checkpoint.

The coverings are comprised of a rugged material to allow mobility without risking material tearing or the elastic band from being dislodged from the user's foot. The specific material may be a clear plastic or other synthetic material that provides a barrier from germs and fungus, yet provides sufficient strength to resist inadvertent damage and exposure of the wearer. The coverings are reusable, providing the wearer a foot covering that will last an entire trip or be used through several airport checkpoints. Transport and storage of the coverings can be accomplished with a clear plastic pouch with zipper closure. A variety of sizes that fit men and women of various ages and foot sizes may be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1) An airport security foot covering, comprising: a transparent foot covering with an open end and a closed end, said open end is a rounded, foot-receiving opening with an upstanding edge and a receiving tube along said edge; an elastic band is fitted interior to said receiving tube, and compresses said open end; said foot covering provides a hygienic barrier between a wearer and an outside surface at an airport security checkpoint; said foot covering material is transparent to allow visual inspection of interior contents. 2) A method of passing through an airport security checkpoint without contacting the floor surface with bare or stocking feet, comprising the steps of: removing a footwear article from each foot, one at a time, slipping a transparent foot covering over each of said feet and securing with an elastic band, walking through the security checkpoint with said foot coverings as a barrier to a supporting floor surface, and replacing said foot coverings with said footwear articles, one at a time, without letting a bare or stocking foot touch said support surface uncovered. 